Soluble Endoglin modulates TGF-β1 mediated signaling in isolated hepatocytes

Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent tumors worldwide. The incidence to develop HCC in patients with fibrosis or even cirrhosis is high. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key cytokine in the process of fibrogenesis. We have previously shown that the soluble part of Endoglin, a type III TGF-β receptor, is upregulated in late stages of fibrosis and cirrhosis [1]. To evaluate the physiological consequences we analyzed the functional impact of the heterologously expressed soluble endoglin on TGF-β/Smad3 signaling. Methods: Based on the rat endoglin cDNA cloned in our laboratory [2…